Copper base alloy



Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES COPPER BASE ALLOY Robert F. Bolam, Tampa, Fla.

No Drawing. Application May 1'1, 1934, Serial No. 726,171

1 Claim. (01. -1)

. This invention relates to a hardened copper composition and process or method of its preparation;

It is. primarily aimed to provide a metal princi- 5 pally of copper which is suitable for use as machine parts of various kinds and for edge tools, and as a hard solder, and generally to provide a metal which may be used as well in all instances where copper or bronze are employed at present.

In carrying out the invention, the following materials are used: Copper, one hundred pounds; tin, eighteen and one-half pounds; iron, six and three-quarter pounds; lead, eight ounces; zinc,

1:, eight ounces; nickel, six ounces; vanadium, two ounces; tungsten, two ounces; molybdenum, two ounces; potassium cyanide, one ounce; arsenic, two ounces; and phosphorus, one ounce more or less. a

In preparing the product, all of the materials mentioned are placed within a crucible or the like and the metals melted, The charge, however, is covered at all times with a layer of pulverized glass and filint rock, and when the metal melts, the same is pushed to the bottom of the charge. The mixture is well stirred or agitated when the metal is molten, after which the slag and impurities are skimmed off, and the final product poured into molds or pigs.

The layer of flint rock and glass previously mentioned prevents the metal from oxidizing while at the same time the metal absorbs the silicon which the flint rock and glass throw off, aiding in clarifying and toughening the metal.

Tin is used for the purpose of forming a fine grain as wellas hardening and strengthening the copper.

Lead is added for lubrication purposes especially where the product is used as a bearing metal.

The zinc readily unites with the copper, tin, lead and iron to impart a more fibrous structure to the metal.

The tungsten and molybdenum readily unite with the iron and add great hardness to the 45 same, and at the same time toughening the copper.

The vanadium adds great toughness and resilience to both copper and iron and readily blends with tungsten and molybdenum.

Thesmall quantity of phosphorus used deoxidizes the copper and tin, making them hard 5 at the same time, and assists in forming a thoroughly homogeneous mixture of the whole charge.

The nickel readily unites with all of the elements and substances and assists in forming very close and fine grain, adding hardness and toughness to the charge. It is also highly resistible to heat, corrosion and acid.

When the charge is in a molten form, the arsenic and potassium cyanide, wrapped well in heavy paper are plunged to the bottom of the charge, the arsenic and potassium cyanide acting to remove impurities from the metal used in the charge.

The molten charge is permitted to soak in the furnace for ten or fliteenminutes and then thoroughly stirred and agitated with an iron rod, following which the skimming and pouring previously mentioned takes place.

By reason of the method of producing the composition, the various materials, particularly the metals, are each strengthened as the method progresses, and are then wed into one hard and tough family or new metal.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as myinventionz- A metallic composition consisting of an alloy of copper one hundred pounds, tin eighteen and one-half pounds, iron. six and three-quarter pounds, lead eight ounces, zinc eight ounces, nickel six ounces, vanadium two ounces, tungsten two ounces, molybdenum two ounces, which has been treated while in a' molten condition by the addition of potassium cyanide one ounce, arsenic two ounces, and phosphorus approximately one ounce after which the molten material is agitated and the slag and impurities are skimmed ofi.

ROBERT F. BOLAM. 

